Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma

Reporting Natural Disasters

By Manoucheka Celeste

A Haitian-born journalist and media scholar advises educators on how to equip the journalists of the future with the cultural awareness to effectively and sensitively report on natural disasters. 

New Orleans Needs Santa, Now!

By John Pope

In the first scene of John Patrick Shanley's remarkable play "Doubt," a priest delivering a sermon has this to say about the aftermath of a traumatic event: "Imagine the isolation."

Letter From New Orleans: Facing Two Storms

By John Pope

A reporter from The Times-Picayune in New Orleans reflects on the arrival of Hurricane Gustav almost exactly three years after the descent of the catastrophic Hurricane Katrina.

A Call for Emotional Literacy

A Report From the Hannover Trauma & Journalism Conference

By Maria Benning

Journalists, editors and trauma specialists meeting for Germany’s first-ever conference on trauma and journalism have called for the universal training of journalists in the skills of emotional literacy and trauma awareness.

Trauma und Journalismus—Eine Emotionale Alphabetisierung tut Not

By Maria Benning

Trauma ist griechisch und heißt Wunde. Trauma und Journalismus – ein Thema für verwundete Journalisten also? Für Dünnhäutige und"Weicheier", die den harten Anforderungen der Medienbranche am Ende doch nicht so ganz gewachsen sind? Irrtum. Traumatisiert werden kann jeder. Das ist inzwischen wissenschaftlich nachgewiesen. Ein schreckliches Ereignis kann Berufsanfänger aus der Bahn werfen, aber auch alte Hasen mit 30 Jahren Erfahrung. Der seinem Image nach abgebrühte Kriegsreporter gehört ebenso zur Risikogruppe wie der Lokaljournalist, dessen kleine Welt heil sein soll - und es nicht ist.

Covering Katrina's Aftermath

Biloxi Sun Herald Reporter Josh Norman

By Maria T. Alvarez

Getting up at 5 a.m. to meet a 2 p.m. deadline, Biloxi Sun Herald reporter Josh Norman is in the eye of the storm—working 15-hour days covering the death and destruction of Hurricane Katrina in the small town of Pass Christian, Miss.

Covering Katrina's Aftermath

Times-Picayune Reporter Michael Perlstein

By Gina Barton

When reporter Michael Perlstein stayed on the front lines of the New Orleans Times-Picayune's hurricane Katrina coverage, he had no idea what he was getting into.

Reporting on a Chaotic Relief Effort

By Penny Cockerell

Now that the military has moved in and other state agencies have responded to Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath, some would think that all is under control. It isn’t.

The Scene in Mississippi

By Matt Sloane

This was my first time covering a hurricane, and as luck would have it, it was one of the deadliest hurricanes in history.

A Sense of Outrage

By Gavin Hewitt

Running through the coverage of Katrina, like an electric current, was outrage. It is an emotion that stands out in television coverage because it is rare. Most reporters shy away from letting their emotions show.